Now then, I understand that 1% of the population is living in clover, whilst the other

[Sir Charlie of Nicholas]

99% scratches around in the gutter for an edible leaf or perhaps a fag butt discarded by one of the aforementioned top-hatted gentry. I am perfectly prepared to accept this version of reality except to ask, how the living f**k have I just spent over an hour trying, and failing, to get a dinner booking for tomorrow in any half-decent West End restaurant?

The absurdly rich 'few' appear to be absurdly many, as well.

[Pokster]

fumble in some city hotel

[Sir Charlie of Nicholas]

I'm not trying to book a table at the Pitcher and Piano in Canary Wharf.

[Ashberto]

Would a 45% decent one do?

[Sir Charlie of Nicholas]

[Steve Williams - gay for Mark Knopfler]

[Sir Charlie of Nicholas]

The Ivy, The Caprice, The Delaunay, Hakkasan, Scotts, J Sheekey, Berners Tavern, Rules. That sort of place. More traditional than tourist destination.

[Steve Williams - gay for Mark Knopfler]

Now, clearly not from when I lived there but from reputation and/or media reports etc.

They may not be touristy as per the traditional definition of same, but they would still be destination restaurants for a lot of people.

You could ask them for their special table.

[Ashberto]

[Jake]

Have you been to the Chiltern Firehouse yet?

[Sir Charlie of Nicholas]

All those £60 bottles of ordinary claret. All snapped up. The 1% must be a f**king massive 1%.

[Sir Charlie of Nicholas]

I haven't. twix went recently and raved about it. I tried to book and failed.

[Ashberto]

And Monty tells us he's the poorest Jew in London.

What you need is a club, Sir C. If V is still in publishing she'll be eligible for a place I can recommend, where the food is highly regarded, and hotel rooms are coming later in the year too. :nod:

[Sir Charlie of Nicholas]

Tell all, I prithee.

[Maravilloso Marvo]

Good old Eltham boys.

[Ears are alight]

[Sir Charlie of Nicholas]

I like 34. I like all Caprice Holdings places, actually. J Sheekey and The Ivy best though.

[Jake]

I've only heard excellent things. Apparently all the waiters are bearde/ryan goslingly hipsters and super models.

Sounds v. NYC. I look forward to the shortrib.

[Ears are alight]

[Sir Charlie of Nicholas]

so it's not first choice.

Panic's over now, thanks. (See below.)

[Sir Charlie of Nicholas]

There was no car bomb, happily.

[Sir Charlie of Nicholas]

[Berni]

Nice enough chap. Respectable, polite, clearly sh*t scared, bless him.

[Ashberto]

[Sir Charlie of Nicholas]

No flogging, no fagging, no cold dorms and colder showers.

Might as well be queers.

[Berni]

[Sir Charlie of Nicholas]

[Berni]

Would have taught him a valuable life lesson.